How to Reset a Router Back to the Factory Default Settings

Many routers have a small reset button that can be pushed with a paper clip for about 10 seconds to reset the router back to factory default settings. Wait for a router's lights to become a stable green to know it's finished resetting with help from a Web designer in this free video on computer and Internet tips.

Comments

Video Transcript

Hi, I'm Noah, and today we're going to learn how to reset your router back to it's factory default settings. Sometimes, after you move or something like that, you just want to start over and have your router as if it was new. So this is how to do it. First you'll need just a simple paper clip, and you'll need to just unfold it so it's like a little stick. Then, you'll have to look towards the back of your router, and locate a small hole like this one here. Often, it will be written "Reset" next to it on a lot of models. Now, all you have to do is take your paper clip, insert it into the hole where there's a button located inside, and stay pressed down for about ten seconds. Once you do this, you'll notice the lights in front of your router will start flashing in different colors. Once they become a stable green, it means your router has finished resetting itself. One last thing to keep in mind is that when you reset your router, it will erase any password that you've saved for modifying its settings from your computer. So to find thee original password, that's the default once you reset it, just checking the box for operating instructions, and you should find it there.